The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Publics Eye

(This is the first in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move")

The thought of moving can set most of us in a tailspin, but what is more frightening is imagining the parade of realtors and home buyers marching through your very personal space and judging you on: neatness, maintenance and upkeep, and tasteful décor. (There will be a handful of buyers that are looking for a "fixer upper" and projects that last for years, but unfortunately only two exist to date).

So let's discuss a few easy tips to get your home in market condition. Remember -- realtors and prospective homebuyers can tell how a home has been cared for over the years. If your home is in need of major repairs it is always best to consult a professional to ensure proper technique and installation.

The month before you list your home, walk around with a notepad and write down everything that is in need of some minor repair or a little freshening up. It is very natural to focus on just the main living areas of your home and forget about the closets and storage areas, but this is a big mistake. In every home I ever bought or sold closets and storage areas were part of the public viewing. So lets divide the space of your home and get moving:

Bedrooms

Check all the bedrooms and pay particular attention to the closets. This is a great time to review the contents and do a major purge. The fewer items that are crammed in your closet, the fewer things you have to pack and your closet will appear larger to a buyer. Set a pickup date with your local charity -- this gives a little extra motivation to get those closets in order. Out of season clothes should be packed up and if possible stored at a very kind relative or friend's home.

Take a similar approach to shelves and dressers and any other surfaces in the rooms. Clutter is a real turnoff for a lot of people. Pack up the unwieldy collections and neatly organize what is left.

Bathrooms

Check for any leaks, cracks and discoloration on all your plumbing fixtures. Spend a little extra time cleaning the mirrors and the lights (this can really make your bathroom sparkle). If your beauty products are all over the bathroom vanity consider purchasing an inexpensive caddie to hold your products so they can be swiftly tucked away for a showing.

Family Room/ Living Room

Get rid of anything that makes the rooms look crowded or dated. Window coverings can either make or break a space. Heavy and dated curtains can be taken down to allow natural light in. It is very important to air out the home on a regular basis. Also consider using one of the products on the market to eliminate odors from carpets, drapes and upholstery. If you or family members are smokers, consider smoking outside until your home is sold. Pet owners send the dog off to the groomer for a bath and regularly change the cat's litter box.

Kitchen

Check that all cabinets are clean inside and out, as well as in good working order. The contents should be arranged in an orderly manner. You wouldn't want your cereal boxes falling on a buyer's head. This is an excellent time to donate small appliances, dishes, and glassware you have not used in years. If you are doing a long distance move and using a professional mover, they charge by weight. In my book this is a huge motivator not to move something that I am not 100% sure I will ever use again.

Keep the counters clear; this can be a difficult task for busy people who are accustomed to using this space as their personal catchall. Keep a few empty bins or baskets for every household member. In a pinch you can quickly toss the items into their respective bins and set in a closet or in their rooms.

Also, a vase of fresh cut flowers and a subtle scented candle add a nice touch.

Basements and Garages

These two areas usually need a little more lead-time than a month. Start with your basement and make it a family affair. (I feel pretty confident to say that the basement is not in its current state because of one individual, but there is always the exception!) To maximize your time, refrain from paging through old textbooks and reading all your old album covers. Set those albums aside and start organizing.

Designate areas in your basement with boxes labeled as give away, throw away, and pack. Empty boxes, old toys and clothes that have not seen sunlight in years can easily be escorted to curb. Properly dispose of old electronics and paint (check with your local waste disposal company on recycle options). Consider packing a few boxes from your "pack pile" and stack neatly in your storage area. This will give you a great head start on the packing process.

Now, out the door to the garage, if you can't pull car in than you have a good day's worth of work ahead of you. The concept behind the garage is to provide shelter for your car and storage for your outdoor related equipment only and not "I am not sure what to do with that, so just put it in the garage storage". Start by placing like items together and remove anything that does not qualify for garage living. Toss any broken items, unrecognizable objects, and those unfinished projects that have remained in their current state the last 7 years. Donate and recycle all the things the kids have outgrown. Start the boxing process and pack anything that will not be needed until you reach your new home.

Yard

Finally, don't forget the yard. Clear away any dead foliage, weeds, and fallen branches. Trim hedges and shrubs and neatly store hoses and sprinklers. Rake up any leaves and give your yard a fresh cut. If climate permits, plant a pot of flowers and place near your entryway.

When you think you are done, have your realtor come through and look around with a fresh eye. It's amazing what you stop actually seeing when you live with it day to day! Getting ready to sell your house may not be fun, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. A little sprucing and organizing will bring back realtors and potential buyers. Remember -- people want to be able to visualize their own ideas for a home, so make it an inviting and welcoming place.

©2004 Bridget Messino

About the author: Bridget Messino is a Professional Organizer, speaker and co-owner of Clutter Free Living, Inc. Her work frequently appears on many Internet sites, on her own organizing site Clutter Free Living, as well as in her monthly Home Organizing Newsletter How to Be Clutter Free. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter by sending a blank e-mail to cflnews-subscribe@topica.email-publisher. com

---

At Last You Can Customize Your Pegboard As Much As You Want

Customizable metal pegboard is set to revolutionise utensil storage. For... Read More

How to Care for Laminate Flooring

It's hard to damage and easy to care for laminate... Read More

Improving Your Bottom Line Through Vastu

The design of your office and home has a great... Read More

Lighter Fluid: The Best Label and Scuff Mark Remover

The first time my husband saw me scrubbing the black... Read More

Removing Your Old Wood Double Hung Windows

Last week I told you how to measure your wood... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Permitted Development Allowances - Not the Golden Goose You Imagine

There is a perception amongst most folk that every house... Read More

Ceiling Fans ? That Dont Require The Ceiling

The trend in remodeling homes is to expand the outdoor... Read More

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement

Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for... Read More

Planning Permission Tips Uk - How To Select A Property to Extend or Develop

Many people purchasing a property for their main home actually... Read More

Color Help: Many Factors Affect Color Preference

Understanding color psychology helps home makers choose colors for home... Read More

Sliding Glass Door Replacement

This article is going to be about replacing an old... Read More

Planning Kitchen Remodeling

Planning kitchen remodeling If you are planning to remodel your... Read More

Choosing Window Frames

There are three main types of material used to manufacture... Read More

Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter - Overlooked Sources of Heat Loss in the Home

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long ? the... Read More

10 Things To Consider Before Planning And Installing A New Bathroom

Whether you want to install a new bathroom or make... Read More

The Best Way To Clean Carpet?

What is the absolute best way to clean carpet? Carpet... Read More

Hardwood Floors - 7 Tips For Selecting Perfect Flooring

DESIGN STYLESWith thousands of colors and styles to select from... Read More

Keeping Stone Floors in Tip Top Condition

I had a customer call me to make a complaint... Read More

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of... Read More

Concrete Cutting - Adding a Pre-Cast Concrete Stairway Bulkhead to Your Home

Installing a pre-cast concrete stairway to your home's basement is... Read More

Waterproofing Basement Walls

Although representatives from waterproofing companies may guarantee results from their... Read More

Five Ways to Create a Healthy Home

Have you ever thought of your home as being healthy... Read More

CCTV for the Home

Securing your property is one of the growing domestic issues... Read More

Remodeling Your Home: How Much Is Too Much?

The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of... Read More

Country Home Accessories

Country home décor is the most sought after home interior... Read More

Worktops and Countertops for Kitchens - Buyers Guide to Materials

Worktops and Countertops for Kitchens - Buyers Guide to MaterialsThe... Read More

Electric Radiant and Floor Coverings

If the decision of what type radiant heating system to... Read More

Interconnects for Your Audio/Video System - Choosing The Proper Cables

Research & Development I began designing audio and video interconnect... Read More

Small Cabin Plans - Finding a Great Log Cabin Plan Online

Small cabin plans - how do you find that special... Read More

An Interview with Design Psychology Expert Jeanette Fisher

Interview with Jeanette Fisher by Gary Anderson, of ... Read More

How To Buy Double Glazing In The UK

Double glazing reduces heat loss through your windows. You can... Read More

The Motors Best Friend

The starting current of motor can become 3 to 6... Read More

Your Candles Are Killing You and Your Furniture - Substitute It!

Even though most of the houses are well lighted with... Read More